Big River Group expands national footprint with new Townsville, Qld acquisition

Construction industry leader, Big River Group announces the acquisition of Big Hammer Building Supplies in Townsville North Queensland, further expanding their national network.

Though Big River already has a presence in Townsville with a building supplies distribution operation, the acquisition is an opportunity to create a larger and more diversified business by combining the strong and successful operating histories of both businesses.

An established name in the market for over 26 years, Big Hammer’s expertise lies in the alterations and additions area, catering to a strong client base outside of the Townsville region. Big River’s Townsville branch has its strength in the commercial and civil construction markets, in addition to an overlap in the supply of residential building products. With the two operations coming together, Big River achieves a business of scale and produces considerable opportunity with an exposure to all construction segments, a wide geographic area within North Queensland and over 300 trading accounts.

“We have discussed this opportunity with the owner of Big Hammer, John Geaney, several times over an extended period, as the compatibility of the two businesses has been clear for many years,” said Big River CEO Jim Bindon.

“We are pleased to be able to offer the customers of North Queensland the opportunity of an expanded product offer and experienced team to increase the services we can provide for them and their businesses,” he added.

Big Hammer’s John Geaney will continue in a management role within the combined business and the existing Big River staff will transition across into the consolidated business.

Big River Group has been operating for over 100 years, manufacturing and distributing timber and steel formwork products, timber flooring, building products, structural plywood and related timber products. It also distributes a broad range of other building products, including MaxiWall and MaxiFloor, primarily to the commercial, residential and infrastructure construction market segments.